Questions are the foundation of improvement. Yet, we often approach our jobs as if all the questions have already been asked and answered. It’s human nature: you work through a problem, find a solution that eases the challenge or yields good results, implement it, and it becomes “the way you do it.” But consider the […]

When asked if there’s an Olympic story that inspires me, I think of Michael Phelps—a story I’ve followed closely. Phelps is the epitome of “lean” in more ways than one. And not just physically. Phelps was physically gifted, yes, but his success is rooted in hours of dedicated training, strategic coaching, and relentless attention to […]

At PalletOne, we talk a lot about “lean.” It occurs to me that some of you might not have been here when this approach was first introduced. “Lean” companies believe that customers only want to pay for “value.” To deliver that, we focus on eliminating any waste associated with producing the product. Waste can come […]

According to researchers, one of the most critical factors for a fully engaged workforce is how understood and appreciated employees feel. Yet, many hold back from expressing appreciation at work because it can sometimes feel “fake.” This insight made me think of baseball. Growing up, I played mostly first base and did some pitching. One […]